Syllabus

In this course we will explore the cultural, social, and foreign policy ramifications of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States.

II. Course goals:

1. Students will become adept at the close reading, annotation, discussion, and written reflection on a many different kinds of texts.
2. Students will become adept at identifying the rhetorical appeals at work in texts and how the recognition of these appeals can aid the movement from reflection to an original thesis.
3. Students will become more sophisticated consumers and users of digital technology for informational and academic purposes.

III. Policies/ Expectations:

· Attendance/Participation: Attendance is mandatory. Missing two weeks of class (4 classes) or more, for whatever reason, will make it extremely difficult for you to successfully meet all the goals (see above) and expectations (see below) of this class, and will likely result in the earning of a “C” or lower. Missing more than two weeks of class will likely result in failure of the course.

· Style, Grammar and Typos: We expect that written assignments will adhere to the stylistics guidelines for each assignment. These will include writing in a tone appropriate to the topic of discussion and following the rules and conventions of standard written English. Note: Blog posts containing five or more typographical, stylistic or mechanical errors will receive a failing grade and be immediately flagged for further revision. As above, revised articles may be re-submitted, but are subject to late penalties (see “deadlines”).

· Deadlines: We expect that you will meet your deadlines. Late work will be docked one letter grade for each day it is late.

· Technology and Turning in Assignments: We will be using Dropbox and the class blog to disseminate pdfs of some course readings. That means each of you will need to create a Dropbox account (http://www.dropbox.com) in order to gain access to the readings. You will also use Dropbox to turn in ALL assignments, unless specified otherwise. Each of you will have a folder in the class Dropbox folder that you will upload your articles into. We will also use Google docs for certain collaborative assignments.

Plagiarism: Cases of plagiarism will be handled per the guidelines set forth in the Faculty Handbook and Student Handbook. The 2011-12 Sweet Briar College Student Handbook defines plagiarism:
· “The presentation of the works or ideas of another as one’s own work is plagiarism. This applies to online and electronic sources as well as printed materials. The wording used by others in expressing even commonly known facts is private property, and to include it in a paper as though it were one’s own is dishonest. Ideas and facts not generally known and not commonly accepted still bear the personal impress of the people who formulated or discovered them, and it is dishonest for the student to present such facts and theories as though they were her own, even if the student makes changes in phrasing from what the originator used to express them. The student may use another person’s work only if due credit is given.” p. 90-91, http://www.sbc.edu/residence-life/student-handbook

IV. Assignments

Each student’s progress toward the goals of the course will be assessed by the following assignments: